Training device for soccer shoes

ABSTRACT

A training device and a method of use thereof in improving trapping, dribbling, passing, and like skills in a sport of soccer. The training device includes a cup of an elliptical and concave shape, and the cup can be mounted over a toe portion of the soccer shoe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from a U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 63/312,003 filed on Feb. 19, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a training device for soccer shoes, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a training device to be used with soccer shoes to improve soccer ball controlling skills in the sports of soccer.

BACKGROUND

The sport of soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. Soccer is played between two teams to pass the soccer ball beyond the goal line of an opponent team. The player uses their legs, torso, and head to pass the ball, mostly legs are used. A few of the important skills in soccer are trapping, dribbling, and passing the soccer ball. The right amount of force must be applied to the soccer ball, so the soccer ball does not bounce too far off from the shoe. Preferably, the soccer ball should be moved with a softer touch while trapping, dribbling, or passing the soccer ball. Passing the ball too hard can mess up the pass.

Soccer shoes are available that are adapted to the specific needs of the soccer. However, the available soccer shoes do not help a player to better learn the aforesaid skills.

Thus, a need is appreciated for a device that allows a player to better learn the aforesaid skills.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to a training device for improving dribbling, trapping, and passing skills in the sports of the soccer ball.

It is another object of the present invention that the training device can be used with sports shoes.

It is still another object of the present invention that the training device can be used with soccer shoes.

It is yet another object of the present invention that the training device makes learning the skills easier.

It is a further object of the present invention that there is no need for separate shoes.

It is still a further object of the present invention that the players can apply more accurate force on the ball.

It is yet a further object of the present invention that the players have better control over the ball.

In one aspect, disclosed is a training device for the sports of soccer, the training device comprises a cup that if of an elliptical and concave shape, and the cup is configured to be mounted over a toe portion of the soccer shoe; a left flange and a right flange, both extend from a left edge and a right edge of the cup; a left strap coupled to the left flange; and a right strap coupled to the right flange. The training device further comprises a harness for securing the device to the soccer shoe. The left flange and the right flange are flexible or solid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the training device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the training device mounted to a soccer shoe, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as apparatus and methods of use thereof. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.

The following detailed description is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details may be set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatus are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subject innovation. Moreover, the drawings may not be to scale.

Disclosed is a training device that can help a player improve their skills in the sports of soccer. In particular, the disclosed training device can help the players to improve their skills of dribbling, trapping, passing the ball, and the like skills.

Referring to FIG. 1 shows a training device 100 and FIG. 2 shows the training device 100 mounted on a soccer shoe 200. The training device 100 can include a cup portion 110 that can cover a toe portion of a shoe 200. The cup portion is concave and substantially elliptical. The shoe can be customized soccer shoes or any normal sports shoes. Two flanges 120 can extend from the left and right edges of the cup. Two straps 130 can be coupled to the two flanges wherein the flanges help in mounting the disclosed device to a shoe. As shown in FIG. 2 , the device 100 when mounted to a shoe 200 can cover the toe portion of the shoe and the two straps can extend sidewards of the shoe. A harness 140 can also be provided that can secure the disclosed device to the shoe. The harness can wrap around the shoe for securing the device.

The cup can be made from a hard, soft, or elastic material. When the soccer ball is hit by the toe portion of the shoe, there is lesser impact than made by the disclosed cup. Thus, the player learns to pass the soccer ball using a light touch in a controlled manner in comparison to a strong impact that results in the bouncing of the soccer ball.

It is harder to hit the ball with the disclosed cup of the device and/or the hard or soft flanges, thus the players must develop a softer touch than with a regular soccer shoe. When the players remove the disclosed device from their soccer shoes, and just use the soccer shoes, it is much easier to trap, dribble and pass the soccer ball more accurately and in a controller manner.

The left strap, the right strap, and the harness can have suitable fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners for coupling the straps and the parts of the harness. The left strap, the right strap, and/or the harness can have suitable elasticity as well.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. 

1. A training device for sports of soccer, the training device comprises: a cup, wherein the cup is of an elliptical and concave shape, and the cup is configured to be mounted over a toe portion of the soccer shoe; a left flange and a right flange, both extend from a left edge and a right edge of the cup; a left strap coupled to the left flange; and a right strap coupled to the right flange.
 2. The training device according to claim 1, wherein the training device further comprises: a harness for securing the device to the soccer shoe.
 3. The training device according to claim 1, wherein the left flange and the right flange are flexible or solid.
 4. A method for improving soccer shoe to soccer ball contact skills of a player during play in a sport of soccer, the method comprising: placing a cup assembly having an elliptical and concave shape over and covering a toe portion of anyone of a left, a right, or left and right soccer shoes, the cup having a left flange and a right flange formed integrally with cup and extending distally away from the cup portion along an opposing left and right side of the soccer shoes, respectively, the flanges sharing a smooth outer ball striking surface with the cup; connecting a first strap to the right flange at a distal end and connecting a second strap to the left flange at a distal end and connecting the straps at a rear end of the soccer shoes forming a single strap holding the cup assembly in place on the shoes; hitting a soccer ball repeatedly by the cup assembly including the left flange and the right flange on the soccer shoes during practice of a soccer game thereby enhancing impact from the shoe to the soccer ball and requiring more precision in controlling the soccer ball while wearing the cup assembly enabling improvement of ball handling skills of the player when not wearing the cup assembly on the soccer shoes.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the left flange and the right flange are flexible in relation to feet of the player moving inside the shoes.
 7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the cup assembly is made of a solid material, such that an impact made by the cup portion, left flange and the right flange to the soccer ball is more than an impact made when the soccer ball is hit directly by the soccer shoe, provided equal forces are applied in both cases.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the soccer shoes include a bottom surface contacting ground, wherein the first and second flanges and the first and second straps do not make contact with the bottom surface. 